EPL: Everton face Arsenal in fight for Champions League spot

Everton face Arsenal in fight for Champions League spot

Everton can take a huge step towards an unlikely top-four finish and Champions League soccer next season if they can maintain their recent run of great form by winning at Arsenal for the first time in 17 years on Tuesday.

To do that, they will have to overcome opponents who have risen to third in the table on the back of a superb run of results just as the race for Champions League qualification enters the finishing straight.

With Manchester United and Manchester City set to finish first and second, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been jostling for the remaining two Champions League spots for the last three months.

Yet victory at Arsenal will make Everton serious contenders too.

United, who need just seven points from their last six matches to win the title lead the pack with 80 points from 32 games, 15 points clear of City who have 65 from 31.

Arsenal have 59 points from 32, followed by Chelsea on 58 from 31, Spurs on 58 from 32 and Everton 55 from 32.

City host Wigan in an FA Cup final rehearsal

Tuesday's match at Emirates Stadium is one of four important midweek Premier League games before a full programme next weekend.

Runaway leaders Manchester United play at West Ham United on Wednesday, fourth-placed Chelsea play at neighbours Fulham and Manchester City host relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic in an FA Cup final rehearsal.

Arsenal, who are chasing a 16th successive Champions League berth next season, have recovered superbly since they were beaten 2-1 at arch-rivals Spurs on March 3.

They have won all four league games since then, including Saturday's 3-1 victory over Norwich City when all three goals came in the last six minutes.

Everton's European ambitions have taken root with four wins and a draw from their last five games, with coach David Moyes praising his team's professionalism in their 2-0 win against relegation candidates Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

United can take a step to their 20th title

Manchester United, who brushed aside a toothless Stoke City 2-0 on Sunday, can take another step towards their 20th title if they win at mid-table West Ham who drew 1-1 with Southampton on Saturday.

A last-minute goal from Robin van Persie gave United a 2-2 draw at Upton Park on their last visit there for an FA Cup third-round tie in January.

They have a good record at the ground, winning their last three league matches there and outscoring the Hammers 9-2.

Chelsea, who relinquished their hold on the FA Cup on Sunday when they lost 2-1 in their semi-final against Manchester City, will be playing their seventh match in 19 days, when they make the short trip to Fulham.

Fulham's Craven Cottage ground is just two miles from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea usually do well at Fulham having lost there only once in the Premier League, and interim coach Rafa Benitez will be desperate for all three points to keep their momentum going in the race for Champions League qualification.